Whiffletree



, UNITED STATES PATENT OF CE.

, FREDERIG L ITTLEFIELD, GAR-DINER, MAINE.

WHIFFLETREE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 273,372, dated March6,1883.

' Application filed December 6,1882. 7, (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FREDERIG LITTLEFIELD, ofGardiner, in the county of Kennebec and State of Maine, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Whifflet-rees; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichitpertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in whiffletrees, the objectot'the same being to provide a device of this character which shallcombine simplicity and economy of construction with durability andefliciency in use; and with these ends in view my invention consists incertain details of construction and combinations of parts, as will bemore fully described, and pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a plan view of myimprovement, and Fig. 2 represents detached Views of the end attachment.

A represents a whilfletree provided with the forwardly curved ends B,around which the rear ends of the traces 0 wind. These ends 13 can bebent or cut into the form shown, and are strengthened by the metallicend pieces or attachment, D, which latter are secured to the rear facesof the whiffletree. Each end attachmentD consists of a flat metallicbar,adapted to the contour of the ends of the \vhiffletree, and securedthereto by bolts, rivets, or screws, and the button or hook E, adaptedto pass through holes in the traces in the ordinary manner. The endpieces, D, extend around on the rear surface of the whiffletree for aconsiderable distance, and add greatly to its strength, while the curvedportions thereof protect the bent ends of the whiffletree and preventthem from breaking off or becoming distorted in shape. The buttons orhooks E extend outward at right angles from the outer end of the endpieces, and are adapted to pass through one of a series of holes formedin the rear end of the traces. Those portions of the traces behind thebuttons E rest up against the curved portion of the whiffletree, and areheld up in I position by means of the metallic rings or loops F, whichlatter are secured in position either to the whiffletree or to the endpieces, or between both, in-any desired manner. By this means all theslack trace can be taken up at the rear end, and be held up in position,which, besides being convenient, also adds greatly to the appearance ofthe parts. a

The rings or loops F (one or more on each end of the whiffletree) can,if desired, be movable or adjustable, so as to enable it or them to be.moved into proper position to support the ends of the traces.

By means of my improvement the front ends of the traces or tugs can berigidly or immovably secured to the breast-strap or collar of theharness, thereby dispensing with' the large buckles and leather loopsordinarily employed, which latter are expensive, are liable to chafe thehorse, and require more repairing than any other portion of the harness.The traces can be provided at their rear with any desired number ofholes, and are secured to the whiffletree in the manner shown, thelengthof the trace behind the button beingdependent on the length of the traceand the size of the animal. This surplusage of trace is, however, neatlyheld against the rear face of the \vhiflietree and presents a neat andfinished appearance.

My improvement is simple in construction, is of few parts, is durableand effective in use, an d can be manufactured at a smallinitial cost.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination, with awhiffletree provided with curved ends,of-metallic straps curved to correspond to the ends of the whifflctree,and provided with buttons or hooks projecting at each end of thewhiftletree, and loops for securing the ends of the traces,substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

FREDERIC LITTLEFIELD. Witnesses:

JOSIAH S. MAXCY, DANFORTH M. MAXOY.

